The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost over after Australia announced a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should welcome the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C
